It's not every day that you get to personally thank someone for saving your life.

But Thursday was the day for Ethel Cungious, who surprised the crowd at Lakewood's 34th Award of Valor luncheon as she approached the stage to thank her co-worker Elisah Hollens and paramedics for saving her life last February.

"I have been waiting for this so long ... to be here and to see them and thank them for saving my life. ... There is nothing I can say but thank you," she said. "(Elisah) is the best. That was our first day working together. I had just met her."

Hollens and Cungious, both licensed vocational nurses, had only met four hours earlier that day in February when they were taking a walk during lunch with young twins they were caring for.

"I usually took that walk every day. It's about a six-mile walk," Cungious said.

Ironically, Cungious asked Hollens if she was up to it, she said.

After lunch, Cungious became short of breath, and soon after went into cardiac arrest. Hollens, who had taken the recertification CPR course only two weeks before, immediately began CPR.

"(CPR) had kind of changed a little bit," Hollens said. "They emphasized more chest compressions, faster, harder, and it all came right to me.

"She needed me - we're nurses, that's what we do."

For their actions, Hollens and local paramedics were given the Mayor's Award.

"She's a wonderful person. There is no amount of money that you can give to thank a person for saving your life," Cungious said, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I'm indebted to her for the rest of my life."

Stories of bravery and heroism were numerous as recipients were recognized for saving lives and protecting the property of fellow neighbors throughout the city.

"Men and women in public safety could not get their work done to the highest level possible if it were not for a community there for support," said Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca. "I'm always amazed at what citizens, law enforcement and firefighters can do when there's this element of trust and cooperation - that we are able to work closely together to solve some very difficult problems as they emerge."

Residents Virginia Martinez, Karen Lutz, Brian Thatcher and Richard Dykens all notified police when their neighbors' homes were about to be or were being robbed. Others saved lives and detained criminals until police arrived.

"I just want our neighborhood to be safe for my children and for everybody else's children,"Martinez said.

In all, 24 people were given one of the following: the Award of Valor, given to public safety personnel for courageous actions or command of a life-threatening situation; or the Distinguished Service Award for outstanding career achievements; the Mayor's Award to residents who assisted public safety officials in performance of their duties; the Community Service Award to volunteers who helped improve the city's public safety; or the Dave Powell Community Policing Award, given in memory of a fallen officer, to a deputy who embodies the goals of community-oriented policing.

"One thing that becomes entirely clear to everyone in this room is, don't mess around with Lakewood residents when it comes to looking out for their neighbors," said Mayor Diane DuBois. "Our residents are looking out for each other and they will find you if you try to commit residential burglary in this town. Go ahead, make my day."